Oh Canada

On Thursday, I went with some friends, including my favorite Canadian, Shelley, to a hockey game. The Edmonton Oilers were in town to take on the Washington Capitals. It was quite the game--very high-scoring for a hockey game. I could give you a full recap about it, but that would take a long time to write, so here's a brief synopsis. The Oilers came on strong in the first period, the Caps came back in the second. During the third period, there wasn't a whole lot of action until the final five minutes when the score was tied at 4-4 (I think). Then it got really intense. There was a five-minute, sudden-death overtime period, followed by a shootout that seemed to last forever, but finally the Caps made a shot, and that ended the game. Truly an exciting event. There was also a special salute to the Canadian troops, and they gave out free commemorative pucks--super fun!! Also, I learned a whole slew of interesting facts about Canada. Like, for instance, it's Kraft Dinner there, and not Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Oh, and I heard that there are more Mexicans in the US than there are Canadians in Canada (this may or may not be true).

Here are some photos for documentation of the game:

Some of the game-time action

Adam, Elaine, Sydney, me and Shelly

Shelley in her amazingly stylish, Canadian maple leaf toque

Shelley sneaked in some Canadian treats for us to share. This is a Mr. Big bar. It was a treat indeed.

So that's it folks. Each time I go to a hockey game, it gets more and more exciting. I am getting better at knowing the rules, and am enjoying the sport better. So, when they sing "The Good Ole' Hockey Game" I can't yet say, "it's the best game [I] can name" yet, but it's getting better.

Horoscope

I just looked at my horoscope in the express (free paper that they hand out on the Metro), not that I actually pay much attention to what my horoscope says generally. But today, I was pleasantly surprised. It reads:

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Someone has his or her eye on you, and knows just what you really need at this time. It may seem strange at first, but you'll get used to it.

I pose this question to the universe: Who are you mystery woman? If I knew this, it could make my life a lot easier, at least temporarily.

You've Heard of Tuna Melts or Patty Melts...

Good shot indeed Justin


And just for giggles...



Yep grandma, shoot him in the toodles.

Fun Facts about Me

Okay, I am bored, so why wouldn't I post something on my blog? So in an attempt to let you know a little more about myself, I shall share a few things about me. They are as follows:
1). I have never broken a bone, nor have I had stitches (knock on wood). Yep, I have had a sheltered life. There was a scary moment in my childhood when my sister dropped me while trying to give me a piggy-back ride. I landed on my face, and my mom was afraid I had broken my nose. I fell out of a tree house once, but all that resulted from that was a lot of splinters. I am scared now that one day, I will get some cosmic payback and I'll have like five trips to the emergency room in a year. Because of that, I live cautiously. So, though I like to say Danger is my middle name (actually I never say that), it really isn't--which leads me to number two
2). I hate my middle name, I always have. It is my father's middle name, which is his mother's maiden name (I may have posted this before). My cousin also shares this middle name. It's awful. It turns out, though, that when people find out my middle initial they want to know what it stands for. After they spout out about ten far more horrible names that begin with H than mine, it makes me appreciate mine even more. Rest assured, that when I have children, I will not pass this on to any of my sons. That tradition will die with me.
3). I am a Democrat. So not so surprising to most anyone who knows me. I am an unabashed, unapologetic supporter of the Democratic party, for now at least. What's more interesting about that is that I am a regular, church-attending Mormon (incase you didn't know like 99% of Mormons are republicans). So, as un-holy as many of my fellow church members may believe the Democrats are, it's actually my religious beliefs that make me lean towards the Democrats--that and a lot of life experiences, including seeing the way that our country has gone to shambles during this current administration. For an interesting read that pretty much explains why I think the way I do about politics, you can read an article that was in my college paper a couple of years back. If you read it, don't just throw up your defensive GOP armor that doesn't allow for any thought different than your own--no matter how much sense the argument may make, and just think about it.
4). Since we're talking about church (kind of)...I open my eyes up during the prayers at church and other church-affiliated activities just to see who else does. There are a few of us. And sometimes there are people who make really funny faces or do awkward things during prayers. It makes church, which can sometimes be a painfully boring experience, more enjoyable.
5). I have had odd jobs that can rival a lot of people's: Duck Killer, Airbag Maker, Shoe and Tire salesman (not together, but at the same company). Ask me about them sometime if you care to find out more.
That's that. Now, you can consider yourself part of my inner circle. I feel like we've bonded. If anyone wants to share random things about themselves on their blogs, that would be welcomed, and would make my work day go more smoothly.

Another Election, Another Post

Okay, so I am sure most people have heard the sad news from New Hampshire last night. What the hell were they thinking? In all honesty, I don't know why they would vote for Hillary (other than the fact that she's experienced, and is a good campaigner). Like I have said, I'll vote for her if she has the nomination, but I don't think it will matter. Becuase, if she gets the nomination, I would not be surprised if she loses the election that really counts in November. She makes a good case in saying that she is one who could stand up to the republican attack machine. That being said, this very machine is the one that has made her hated by 50% of the country. If that's the case and let's suppose that John McCain has the nomination, Americans will pick him far more easily than her.
We're at a point like this in our country with so much negativity and acrimony in Washington. Politicians are at a stale-mate, and nothing is getting done. What we need is someone who is going to build bridges and aliances to move our country forward. I don't see that happening with Hillary, though she may very well want the best for her country--though the synic in me couldn't help but think that Monday's tears were all too convenient, I thought I saw some sincerity there. She will not be an agent of change, despite her best wishes. If she wins, she'll have four years, in which she'll get nothing done, and then we'll have another republican in the White House.
I could say a lot more, but I won't I really hope that she won't win the nomination. Not that I really have anything against her being president. She would do a great job. She would have to, but there are so many things that are stacked against her that will keep her from having a successful presidency. That worries me. Though Obama would be risky, I have hope with the thought of him being president.

You Say Global Warming, I Say Wintertime Delight

So here's the deal. I don't think Al Gore was all that crazy. I did fall asleep while watching "An Inconvenient Truth" last February, but what I did see was pretty interesting. Nonetheless, I think something must be in the air (CO2 gasses I guess). You see, today is January 8, in the year of our Lord, 2008, I am no historian, but as I recall, January was supposed to be cold. Right? Currently, it is 9:00 a.m. and it's 52 degrees, en route to be 72 this afternoon. Something doesn't quite seem right. Don't get me wrong, I bitch (which, I don't think should be counted as a swear in a verb form) like no one's business when it's cold out--you can thank two years in Brazil for that, but now I am a little upset that I bought a beanie and an ice scraper from the book store at my college back in Utah over Christmas, and have no use for them yet.
Polar bears are drowning people!! We need to do something! Like what, I am not sure. I think I did my part to reduce my carbon foot print by not owning a car for over a year. When I bought one, I bought a Honda, I think that should count for something. That, and I complain to my roommate about leaving lights on--every little bit helps, you know. Little by little, I can change the world. OH!! and I have a compact, fluorescent light bulb--two actually. So there, I'm green.

And, on a completely unrelated note, (two actually) I got caught repeating a thing that must go yesterday--my smoker neighbors. I was in a hurry and actually thought that I may have complained about them earlier, but didn't check. I am sorry for that, but I do think it bears repeating. Also, I just got an email from the receptionist with her little quote at the bottom that read like this:
"Whenever God Closes One Door He Always Opens Another, Even Though Sometimes It Is Hell in the Hallway. God Bless the USA!"
What does that even mean? (please don't try to explain--I understand where she's going) And why is it on her WORK email? Maybe this might have to make it into the list of things that must go.

Today's Things that Must Go!!

Okay, so it is about ten on a Monday morning, and I had completely forgotten that I had my weekly airing of grievances to post. Oops!! And, oddly enough, I don't have a lot to complain about today. However, I am sure that I can find something to whine about--I always do. So here it goes:
1). Me paying more to ride on the Metro with the same lousy service. Today, the fair hikes to ride on Metro went into effect. It stinks!! My thoughts are that I would be willing to pay more if the service levels were to increas in kind. But, as it stands, today, I arrived at the Metro platform and it was already crouded, with five minutes until the next train was scheduled to show up. So by the time it got there the car was packed like on Dollar Days at the Piggly Wiggly (not that I know, just guessing). It's not comfortable, and it doesn't get me to work much more quickly than if I were to drive. So if everything goes according to plan with my moving back to my other office at work, I'll likely begin driving to work in March--here's hoping.
2). People (men) not putting the toilet seat down--growing up with three sisters and a mother, I got plenty of stern talkings to in my life about this subject. As such, I feel it is the responsible thing to do to lower the seat when finished, out of courtesy. Things just don't seem right when the seat is up. When people don't lower the seat, I think ill of them--poor manners, you know. So you can imagine my disgust with many a roommate I have had in my lifetime who has left the seat up. It doesn't bug me enough for me to say anything about it cause it's just as easy for me to put it down myself, so why bother? Actually, come to think of it, it's all-around more easy for me if no one puts the toilet seat down, so why am I complaining? Maybe what should go are people who don't leave the toilet seat up for me.
3). Smoker neighbors--It's their right to smoke if they want I guess, but boy does it bug me that my apartment smells like an ashtray cause the people below me don't want their house to smell like smoke, and as such go out to their balcony, thus exhaling puffs of smoke that waft upstairs and into our heating system. Seriously, my bag that I took home smelled like smoke when I opened it up--this must go!!
I think that's it for now. I wish I could think of more, maybe I am just too cheery today. I'll have to find a ton of stuff to complain about next week I guess.